traumatic
adjective
trau·mat·ic
trə-ˈma-tik 
trȯ-,
trau̇-
1
: psychologically or emotionally stressful in a way that can lead to serious mental and emotional problems
The report … revealed that the onset of bulimic behavior tends to be associated with voluntary dieting and with traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one.—
Ralph Heussner
Ralph HeussnerHe's been open and frank about his traumatic childhood scarred by violence and domestic abuse.—Stephen Milton
Stephen Milton
broadly
: causing distress or anxiety
The traumatic experience of the Wall Street crash and the long depression of the 1930s has gradually faded from memory … —Jack Revell
Jack Revell The arrival of mass tourism in a previously unspoilt area … was certainly traumatic. —Graham Robb
Graham Robb 2
medical
: relating to, being, or caused by a sudden, severe, often life-threatening injury to the body
… the lone medical centers in the Triad to treat victims of traumatic injuries such as life-threatening car wrecks or shootings.—Pat Kimbrough
Pat KimbroughThree years ago, she was in a traumatic car crash that shattered her pelvis, and caused numerous other injuries.—Brad Gillman
Brad GillmanThere have been reports of shrapnel causing a traumatic fistula between the right coronary artery and the right atrium.—Matthias Eikermann et al.
Matthias Eikermann et al.
also
: involving or causing tissue damage or physical stress
The artery-dilating procedure, which uses a balloon or other device guided to the restricted artery by a cardiac catheter, is less invasive and traumatic than coronary artery bypass surgery. —Andrew Skolnick
Andrew Skolnick Open-heart surgery has become all but routine in recent years, although still physically traumatic. —Ralph T. King, Jr.
see also chronic traumatic encephalopathy, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury
Ralph T. King, Jr. Examples of traumatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelly Osbourne is putting the blame on her brother Jack Osbourne for a near-death experience — or at least a traumatic one!
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
Anthony Garza, who pleaded guilty to domestic battery with traumatic injury, was sentenced in 3rd District Court in Canyon County this month to up to nine years in prison, with three years fixed.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
At a time when Welteroth says that close to 50 percent of mothers in this country have labeled their births as traumatic, midwives are essential.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Many mental-health issues are now masked by the ongoing atrocities, by the ongoing traumatic conditions and by people basically being in survival mode.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
What was especially traumatic about it was that the call came at the very end of a Friday.
—Alexis Berger, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024
Grace is one of hundreds of juveniles with traumatic experiences in Tarrant County who come in contact with juvenile justice services every year.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
If it’s just meant to be one chapter in the middle of many others, then perhaps a less traumatic conflict was called for.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
Anthony Garza, who pleaded guilty to domestic battery with traumatic injury, was sentenced in 3rd District Court in Canyon County this month to up to nine years in prison, with three years fixed.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
At a time when Welteroth says that close to 50 percent of mothers in this country have labeled their births as traumatic, midwives are essential.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024
Many mental-health issues are now masked by the ongoing atrocities, by the ongoing traumatic conditions and by people basically being in survival mode.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
What was especially traumatic about it was that the call came at the very end of a Friday.
—Alexis Berger, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024
Grace is one of hundreds of juveniles with traumatic experiences in Tarrant County who come in contact with juvenile justice services every year.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
If it’s just meant to be one chapter in the middle of many others, then perhaps a less traumatic conflict was called for.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'traumatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near traumatic
Cite this Entry
“Traumatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traumatic. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
traumatic
adjective
trau·mat·ic
trə-ˈmat-ik, trȯ-, trau̇-
: of, relating to, resulting from, or causing a trauma
cases of traumatic rupture—Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of the American Medical Associationa traumatic experience
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